Travel + Leisure announced today that Japan is its 2018 Destination of the Year, celebrating the country’s rich history, incredible number of diverse tourism attractions, unique cuisine and the continued increase of international visitors.
“We are honored that such a prestigious publication has recognized Japan as its Destination of the Year for 2018,” stated Naohito Ise, Executive Director of the New York Office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). “Tourism to Japan among US travelers continues to grow, and we expect an even greater increase in the coming years as Japan continues to be in the spotlight as a top travel destination.”
Travel + Leisure will present a comprehensive guide to the best of Japan—from the changing foliage of Kyoto to the Southern island of Kyushu and more—in the cover story of the December issue, available on newsstands December 1, with an expanded array of Japan content at travelandleisure.com.
“Japan is one of the world’s fastest growing destinations for travelers, who are now pushing beyond the major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto into all corners of the country,” said Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure. “Our audience is passionate about Japan because it offers such a rich, well-rounded travel experience: you can learn about centuries-old culture and tradition while taking in cutting-edge architecture and exquisite food. And it is the people, of course, who make a destination: the graciousness and hospitality of the locals are something that truly resonates with our readers.”
Even more, this week, Travel + Leisure will release a new monthly series, called “Locals,” to offer an inside look at destinations around the world. The first episode, titled, “Eat Ramen Like a Local,” will be available on Instagram TV and at TravelandLeisure.com, offering a unique perspective on the life of a ramen expert, who helps visitors navigate Tokyo’s ramen scene.
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John Van Hamersveld Honors the City of El Segundo and Local Surf Legends with Massive Mural
Legendary artist John Van Hamersveld, known for creating the iconic The Endless Summer poster collected by the Museum of Modern Art, will unveil this Saturday, a one-of-a-kind 510-foot round mural in a tribute to the city of El Segundo and local surf legends. On a site with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the striking graphic-driven mural marks the completion of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Scattergood tank renewal project.
The mural is located on a LADWP-owned tank on west-east-running Grand Avenue, which extends through the city of El Segundo from the Pacific coastline to the Pacific Coast Highway and beyond. This artwork is composed of 51 visually-striking, colorful panels (10-foot by 32-foot each), and incorporates Van Hamersveld’s signature style and iconic imagery.
Central to the theme are 15 bright, bold waves and symbols and images of Van Hamersveld’s life experiences and pop culture, including a Volkswagen to represent his drive along the coast to El Segundo High School from his home in Palos Verdes, and aviation imagery representing El Segundo as the aerospace capital of the world.
An El Segundo High School graduate and inductee in the school’s Hall of Fame, Van Hamersveld was inspired by his formative years in El Segundo. The mural is dedicated to surf culture legends Hap Jacobs and Dale Velzy, who had a large impact on Van Hamersveld’s life.
“Jacobs created my first surfboard that took me on an adventure of a lifetime. Velzy and Jacobs immersed me in the myth and legend of the California surf lifestyle,” shares Van Hamersveld. “El Segundo is where my career started as a surfer and artist. This piece is a monument to modern surfing, and brings to life surfing as a lifestyle and surfing as art.”
“My El Segundo High School art teacher Al Tahti, my mother, and supportive mentors helped guide and focus me into becoming an artist and encouraged me to incorporate the life lessons and philosophies of the ocean and surf,” comments Van Hamersveld. “For that, this beachside city holds a special place in my heart.”
“John is a champion and an artistic visionary for El Segundo. We are so proud of this beautiful and momentous work of art he created. As much as El Segundo had an impact on him, he’s now helped establish our city as an artistic ‘must-see’ for residents, Southern California visitors and surf enthusiasts the world over,” says El Segundo Mayor Suzanne Fuentes.
The mural project became a reality with the vision, persistence and teamwork of the city of El Segundoand LADWP.
The project came to life after El Segundo resident and CEO of Venice Baking Co., Jimmy DeSisto, asked El Segundo Mayor Pro Tem Drew Boyles whether something could be done to improve the appearance of the tank. Boyles and City Manager Greg Carpenter met with LADWP COO Marty Adams, who supported the idea of transforming the tank into a piece of art. Boyles states,
“El Segundo is a resourceful city, where elected officials are easily accessible and responsive. This is a shining example of a resident voicing a concern and the city council working with stakeholders to develop a truly beautiful outcome.”
Fuentes led the charge in securing Van Hamersveld, and the El Segundo Arts and Culture Committee advised on the selection of the art.
The team worked for several months with LADWP and contractor TRC to transform the tank by the power plant. “We want to thank Marty and the Scattergood tank renewal team, as well as, TRC for partnering with the city on this ambitious project,” says Fuentes.
The prepress process for the El Segundo mural combined vector drawings and patterns arranged in a composition of layers to compose the forms and color in a balanced piece. The El Segundo mural is larger than the 360-foot-long mural Van Hamersveld created for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The El Segundo mural was produced by Spin Imaging.SOURCE
The City of El Segundo
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SnapAR ‘Augmented Reality Video Messenger’ available on the Apple App Store
SnapAR App Icon (PRNewsfoto/Driven Catalyst, LLC)
SnapAR, available now for free, enables you to send a recorded hologram to friends and family and appear in the real world, right in their home. Through the magic of Augmented Reality (AR), connect with friends and family in a new and exciting way.
Download the app: http://driven.cat/snapar
Share your AR video messages from the app and the recipient gets the message with the full AR experience. Wishing someone Happy Birthday? Use the birthday theme and your message will include dancing presents and balloons! Unlike other message apps, SnapAR uses the video you capture and makes it appear in the room along with your selected theme. Record your child singing Happy Birthday with SnapAR, then share it with Grandma – she will see them singing right in the room with her.
SnapAR makes sharing easy. Using a text, or your favorite messaging service, share a message with your friends and family, all from within the app. Privacy is important for these kinds of memories, so all SnapAR messages are shared privately, and you are always in control of who has access. Simply remove someone from the share list and your message will be removed from their list.
“Families aren’t always able to be together,” explains Joe Bibby, Chief Creative Officer for Driven Catalyst, LLC, creators of SnapAR. “We wanted to build an app that enabled families and friends to stay better connected from across the country and the world. This puts them right in your home, with you, in a way that’s never been done before.”
SnapAR is free to download, and includes one theme for free. Each additional theme is available as an in-app-purchase for only $0.99.
“In the next major release we want to make SnapAR even more engaging and personal. New interactive stickers will promote a playful back and forth for a more conversational experience,” said Joe Bibby.
SnapAR was created by the team at Driven Catalyst, LLC based in Houston, Texas. Driven Catalyst is a software development company focused on bringing Augmented Reality to consumers and businesses.
SOURCE Driven Catalyst, LLC
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Healthy Choice Enters the Breakfast Category with Launch of Morning Power Bowls
Healthy Choice has launched Morning Power Bowls with four new varieties. (PRNewsfoto:Conagra Brands, Inc.)
Healthy Choice, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) that is helping to reinvigorate the frozen category with its recent innovations, is extending its popular Power Bowls line into breakfast with four new varieties. The launch of morning Power Bowls provides health-conscious, time-starved consumers with a quick, healthy, nutrient-dense addition to breakfast in a popular bowl format.
“Breakfast is really important to our health and well-being, yet people often make a lot of sacrifices when it comes to the first meal of the day,” said Tara Rozalowsky, Healthy Choice Brand Director. “Healthy Choice Morning Power Bowls really deliver on a lot of what we’re seeking in the morning or any time of day really: something quick and healthy that tastes good because it’s packed with flavorful, nutrient dense ingredients.”
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In fact, according to NPD Group, although we think of breakfast as a ‘hurry up and get out the door’ moment, more than 75 percent of breakfast eating occasions occur at home. And more than 70 percent of consumers are looking for nutritious and convenient morning options that take less than 10 minutes to prepare. *
New morning Power Bowls provide up to 15 grams of protein and up to five grams of fiber per bowl. Each variety features a combination of leafy greens, proteins, ancient grains and steel cut oats and include:
- Unwrapped Burrito Scramble – Turkey sausage with egg whites, black beans and vegetables offer big flavor, while a layer of steel cut oats, farro and buckwheat provide plenty of whole grains. Topped with a drizzle of spicy tomatillo sauce for a bold morning start.
- Turkey Sausage and Egg White Scramble – Turkey sausage, egg whites and vegetables are served in a creamy avocado sauce, with leafy greens and whole grains like steel cut oats, buckwheat, and red quinoa.
- Roasted Red Pepper and Egg White Shashuska – A bold, spicy Middle Eastern-style vegetarian bowl that combines egg whites with red bell peppers, feta cheese, onions, and plenty of leafy greens. Whole grains like buckwheat, farro, and steel cut oats offer a nutrient-dense base, while a spicy tomato & red pepper sauce offers a zesty pop of flavor.
- Pesto and Egg White Scramble – A delicious vegetarian option to include with breakfast with bold Italian flavor. Egg whites, white kidney beans, basil pesto sauce and parmesan cheese are served on top of leafy greens and whole grains, like steel cut oats, buckwheat, and quinoa.
Each morning bowl provides a filling meal at 190 calories or less, for a suggested retail price of $3.49. They are shipping to retailers this summer and will be available nationally in the coming months.
Healthy Choice has introduced two new vegetarian Power Bowls (PRNewsfoto:Conagra Brands, Inc.)
In addition to the new morning Power Bowls, Healthy Choice recently launched four new plant-based Power Bowls with bold and exotic flavor combinations, including Mango Edamame, White Bean and Feta Salad, Falafel and Tahini and Cauliflower Curry with up to 16 grams of plant-based protein and 16 grams of fiber in each bowl.
The move further expands the brand’s vegetarian and vegan options and offers a convenient way to swap out meat for 100 percent plant-based protein. In fact, more than 60 percent of Americans are trying to make smart swaps in their diet each day or each week to eat a little less meat without losing out on the importance of protein within their overall health goals.**
Visit www.healthychoice.com to learn more about Power Bowls and other Healthy Choice meals.
SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.
